The NYC Ferry is bringing locals and visitors to the city’s once-industrial shores. Along the East River, explore some of New York’s best restaurants, bars and arts. The NYC Ferry connects lower Manhattan with the Brooklyn and Queens waterfronts, making for a more relaxed and scenic way to get around. Skip the subway and hit the spots below when you take the NYC Ferry this summer.
Lower Manhattan
The NYC Ferry stop in lower Manhattan is at Wall Street. Before heading to the outer boroughs, don’t miss a free, self-guided art walk. While tourists wait in line to snap a photo of Arturo Di Modica’s Charging Bull, skip the crowds and see three mid- to late-century works of art nearby: John Dubuffet’s whimsical Group of Four Trees (91 Chase Manhattan Plaza), Isamu Noguchi’s Red Cube (140 Broadway), and Keith Haring’s Untitled (17 State Street).
DUMBO
Head to Dumbo for the picturesque Brooklyn experience. Within steps of the ferry dock, spots like the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory and Grimaldi’s Pizza are perfect for grabbing a light bite any time of day. Take a walk down historic, cobbled Water Street to POWERHOUSE Arena, an airy bookstore and art gallery venue. Don’t miss the view of the city from beautiful Pebble Beach, or from the elevated Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
Williamsburg
With stops in both North and South Williamsburg, there’s plenty to see and do when you take the NYC Ferry. Take a coffee break at Freehold with its grassy outdoor space or at chic Devocion, where Colombian coffee is served in a light-filed, brick-lined space. For carefully prepared cocktails, Fresh Kills Bar and Hotel Delmano never disappoint. At The Commodore, an unassuming dive bar, discover the best fried chicken and biscuits in Brooklyn.
Greenpoint
Greenpoint is best explored with an appetite. The skyline view from WNYC Transmitter Park is awe inspiring. After snapping a few shots, head just down the street to Paulie Gee’s, where gourmet pizzas are prepared in a wood-fired oven from Italy and topped with unusual, locally-sourced ingredients. Around the corner, Ramona serves cocktails in a sleek, vintage space.
Long Island City
Underrated Long Island City is home to some of the best spots in the city. MoMA PS1 is the Museum of Modern Art-run venue for experimental and contemporary art, set in an old school building. On the 15-minute walk from the ferry to the museum, work up an appetite for local restaurants like Casa Enrique, serving refined Mexican classics, and Cyclo, a contemporary Vietnamese spot. Down the street, classic and inventive craft cocktails are served over hand-cut ice at Dutch Kills, a dark, throwback-style space.
Ready to explore the city on the NYC Ferry?
After a day on the water, head back to Hotel 48LEX where you can raid the pantry with a $60 credit on our modern pantry, from local snacks and cocktails to a spa mini bar complete with facial masks and more.